Bible Commentaries

1. Judge me, O God—It was David’s habit to appeal his cause to God, because he would be judged only by the divine law and justice. Psalms 7:8; Psalms 26:1.

Plead my cause—The petition is, that God would enter as a third person in the suit, or controversy, and argue and conduct it for the petitioner. It answers exactly to the idea of intercessor or advocate. See Psalms 35:1; Hebrews 9:24; 1 John 2:1.

Ungodly nation—It may mean a nation devoid of piety, or one not kindly disposed, unmerciful, hostile. So Psalms 12:1. Entering the controversy in behalf of David, God is asked to do, in word or deed, whatever the equity of the case, or the chosen mode of controversy, calls for.

Deceitful and unjust man—This may apply to Ahithophel, or, taking the noun collectively, to any man of his class.

2. The God of my strength—The psalmist ascribes to God such appellative titles as befit his condition. He needed “strength,” and that belonged to God only.

Why go I mourning—Why these delays of justice? This is the “mystery of God” (Revelation 10:7) in all ages, and the stumbling block to weak faith. The same complaint as is made Psalms 42:9. The means of victory in such cases is recorded Psalms 28:7

3. Thy light and… truth—These alone can vanquish sin and oppression. When men regard things in God’s “light and truth,” then wrongs and contentions will cease. Psalms 57:3.

Unto thy holy hill—Unto Mount Zion.

Tabernacles—The plural may signify the sacred tent and its apartments and cloisters, or the tent on Zion and tabernacle at Gibeon. See 1 Kings 3:4; 1 Chronicles 16:39

4. Then will I go unto the altar— “Then,” is emphatic. When God’s “light and truth,” which he shall “send forth” with authority, shall have executed the divine plan of judgment and mercy, “then” he would go “unto the altar of God,” his “exceeding joy.” And then shall the righteous rejoice and lift up their heads. Here is the hope of the Church. The last verse closes with the same sad yet hopeful refrain as Psalms 42:5; Psalms 42:11.